Lehtola and Koivula
(Remember to respect private properties!)
Across the street from the sawmill office building are two identical houses, Lehtola and Koivula.
Before the current Lehtola was built, there was an older house on the same spot also known as Lehtola. The previous building belonged to Raahe Trading Association and worked as the home for tar inspectors.
Johan Daniel Roos had a long carieer as the tar inspector in Kalajoki (from 1825 to the 1870s). He was a deeply religious man and active in the “awakening”-movement and was even sentenced for hosting an illegal mass in his home.
The old Lehtola was demolished in the 1950s by the Santaholma family.
The current Lehtola and Koivula were designed by the local sawmill CEO Oskari Santaholma in the 1930s for workers’ apartments.
The Lehtola house is still in the possession of the Santaholma family.
When you turn to Tervakuja and walk just a few meters, you will arrive at Terttula.
Terttula is part of the collection of buildings that used to belong to the Santaholma family. Just like Lehtola and Koivula, Terttula was also built in the 1930s. The forester of the Santaholma Sawmill, Lauri Hongell, lived in this house.
If you continue to walk Tervakuja a little further, you will arrive at Suvela. Suvela used to be located next to the Santaholma office building but was moved to this location later on. The house worked as a home for the agricultural manager of the sawmill.
Image description:
- 1: Lehtola, summer 2025 (Lotta Puurula)
- 2: The old Lehtola pictured in a book "Palava kynttilä" by Kares 1937.
Address
Plassintie 41-43
Tales from Plassi
Welcome to Plassi – the old town of Kalajoki!
This cultural route spans between the Jokela Vicarage and the Havula museum, leaving a trail of unique and fascinating sightseeing spots on the way.
Learn about the history and the cultural significance of the Plassi area!
In short:
The name “Plassi” derives from a swedish word “marknadsplats”, meaning a marketplace.
Plassi has a long history of being the local center for trading, marketing, sailing, handicrafts and saw industry.
The old village structure in Plassi is well preserved and the area is mostly covered in wooden houses from the 1700-1900s.
Guided walking tours are organized around the Plassi area and at the Havula museum by Kalajoen Matkailuoppaat ry (Kalajoki Travel Guides).
- Book a guided tour: 040 5571325
Additional info:
- The route is app. 2 km long
- You can experience the route by walking, bicycling, driving or entirely remotely in digital form
- There is a sidewalk for pedestrians almost reaching the end of the route, but the last 300 meters you have to walk on the side of the road
- Some of the buildings on the route are privately owned and inhabited - please, remember to respect private properties!
This route is designed in collaboration with Kalajoki Culture Services, and Sari Alajoki, the expert in built heritage.
The old black and white photographs are from Kalajoen Kotiseutuyhdistys (Kalajoki Local Association).
Image description:
- 2: Map of Plassi from 1869 (by C.G.W. Laudelin).